On Tuesday, David Lammy wrote to officials suggesting only rape, murder and manslaughter cases might be heard by juries under plans to overhaul the courts system.
Mr Lammy wrote in a memo seen by The Times that there was “no right” to jury trials in Britain – and claimed the move would not compromise a suspect’s rights.
The Justice Secretary wrote in a briefing note to ministers and senior civil servants this month that rape, murder, manslaughter and “public interest” cases would be heard by juries, while other “lower” offences would be heard by a judge.
Asked whether the Prime Minister would be comfortable with a situation where the only cases that went before a jury were homicides and rapes, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “I think we’re slightly getting ahead of things.
“We are looking at the review, no decisions have been taken, and we will respond accordingly.”
Now, GB News is asking: Do you support scrapping jury trials for all but the most serious crimes?